Co-ordinator's Report : Week One

Welcome Back to another Keener Summer on the Ottawa River! I know I am excited to be returning for my third year with the Keener program, and it is great to see so many new and returning faces. This week, we welcome head coach Stephen Wright back on the water. His enthusiasm  energy, positivity and coaching skills are a large part of what makes this program as successful as it is.

The Beautiful Ottawa Valley. 

As the Keener "Mom" as I am affectionately known here, I have been busy getting things ready on and off the water. Cabins had to be cleaned up and restocked after a quiet winter to be ready to handle 22 teenage kayakers. Despite quite a few visits to our local Pembroke Wal-mart this past week, I have managed to make it out on the water with the Keeners as well, and see them in their element. The progression in confidence and skill on the water is already impressive, and I am eager to see how the session progresses.

Keener accommodations in Istanbul. 

Monday's speech night started off with Icebreakers and Introduction speeches. We returned home to Keenerville, where each Keener interviewed another, and then presented them to the group. There was so much good conversation  I had to cut everyone off after 25 minutes of talking- a new record.

Tuesday night every Keener made and presented their Goal sheet for the session to the group. They are now hanging up around the thunderdome as daily motivation. Blunts are high on this groups goals; luckily, with high water, we have a wealth of play features to choose from and practice on, including Angel's Kiss, Butterfly, Big Smoothie, Upper No-name, and Lower Garvins.

Joel Kowalski shows off a figure 8 and
a figure 8 on a byte in Thursday's
Ropes and Knots.

Wednesday night was steak night- yum! Keeners had some free time to relax and settle in after going over the Keener conduct code in depth. Many choose to watch a movie called Transcendence, about the pyschology behind extreme sports.

Thursday night is ropes and knots, after yoga in the morning, and a long day on the water trying out new lines for Big Water Beatdown Thursday. Keeners were introduced to basic knots, such as the water knot, a figure 8 on a byte, and the Alpine Butterfly. This week we start learning how to set anchors and how to rappel.

Friday night was our weekly pizza party where we get to go over footage from Competition Friday, and learn how to analyse video footage to learn from it.



Devyn Scott is this years weekend Co-ordinator. He ran the show over the weekend while teaching video and media production skills to the keeners who were interested. Others took a first aid course- an incredibly valuable skill to learn and bring on the water.

Jarand and Pete jamming in the Thunderdome. 

After Sunday night steak Dinner at WT and an evening paddle session, most Keeners joined in a game of Apples to Apples while Jarand and Pete serenaded us on the guitar and ukelele. With their accompaniment  Sebastian and Andrew quickly started a rap battle, which, sorry Andrew, Sebastian dominated.

Apples to Apples. Intense. 

There is a lot of excitement for Canada day today, and it should be an amazing week ahead with coaches Juanito de Ugarte of Peru, Tyler Curtis, Joel Kowalski, Devyn Scott and of course, Stephen Wright.

Have a great week! Anna

 

Trash Sweep at Keenerville under the guidance
of Head Coach Stephen Wright.